June 12/08 8:52 am - UCI Suspends French Cycling Federation

Posted by Editoress on 06/12/08

The UCI has taken the following action against the French Cycling Federation after the FFC decided to side with ASO and sanction the Tour de France under a national sanction as opposed to an international (UCI) sanction.

The UCI Management Committee Decides to Suspend the French Cycling FederationUCI Press release

Following the request by Pat McQuaid, President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), for the suspension of the French Cycling Federation (FFC), the UCI Management Committee, meeting in Snekkersten, Denmark, on 12-13 June, today decided to suspend the FFC with immediate effect.

The UCI President rebuked the FFC for a lack of loyalty to the UCI and its members and for having breached UCI Statutes and Regulations by actively and openly supporting the organisation, outside the UCI framework, of the last edition of the Paris-Nice, an event organised by ASO.

The UCI Management Committee imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs on the FFC. The FFC will be suspended until 31 December 2008.

The FFC's suspension has the following effect:

 non-participation in the next UCI Congress, inadmissibility of its candidates for elections, suspension of FFC representatives from committees and commissions, rejection or withdrawal of the organisation of the World Championships.

Reacting to the decision, Pat McQuaid, who, having initiated the request for the suspension, did not participate in the decision-making process by members of the Management Committee, commented that this was "a strong decision that demonstrates that the UCI will not tolerate one of its members flouting international cycling regulations".

The UCI President also declared that he was "satisfied that the sanctions did not affect French riders or events", saying that this was "for the good of the sport". The UCI Management Committee rejected the option to exclude French riders from the World Championships and other international events, in particular the Olympic Games.